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Helping others wasn’t always top of mind for me, not until life slowed me down with a second brain operation. I have been diagnosed with arteriovenous malformation (AVM) more than 27 years ago, a rare condition where blood vessels in the brain are tangled and can rupture without warning, at the Manila Central University (MCU) Hospital and would at times have routine check-ups at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC).
I was just entering my teenage years, full of plans and promise, when everything changed. The AVM left me with hearing loss in my right ear, impaired vision in my right eye, an asymmetrical face, and issues with balance and coordination. My family and friends were blindsided, and I had no choice but to adapt to a new reality.
But I was lucky. Therapy helped me slowly recover, and the love around me became my strength. I finished my studies in Journalism, and over the years I built a career writing for publications in the UAE — covering real estate, design, and community stories. Then came the second AVM. The damage became more permanent, but still, I held on.
Sixteen years ago, I was declared AVM-free. That alone is a miracle. I now work from home, continuing to write — and most importantly, to live. And with life comes the desire to give back.
This year, as I turned 40, I wanted to do something meaningful, something that would reach children who, like me, once found themselves facing medical battles far too big for their small bodies. Through the support of Mélange Media, the publication I write for, I was able to make a donation to PCMC’s Tawid Pangkalusugan Fund, which helps indigent patients receive critical care.
“The Tawid Pangkalusugan Fund is a pool of cash donations from kind individuals, groups, and organizations,” explained Beth Jayobo from the PCMC Director’s Office. “It was created to quickly respond to the needs of indigent patients for treatments and hospitalization.”
Today, PCMC serves thousands of young patients across various departments, from Child Neuroscience and Rehabilitation to Hematology, Cancer, and Dialysis. Behind those numbers are children and families clinging to hope, just as I once did.
To be able to give something in return to one of the places that once gave me another chance at life feels like coming full circle. For me, this donation reflects the importance of remembering where you came from and extending a hand to lift someone else up. Because sometimes, the most meaningful gifts are born not from abundance, but from gratitude.
How you can help
- Donate to the Tawid Pangkalusugan Fund: PCMC uses this fund to provide urgent financial aid for emergency surgeries, critical care, medications, and hospital stays for indigent children
- Thos who live in the Philippines, give blood regularly: With around 10 young patients daily needing multiple blood units, PCMC relies heavily on blood donors. One unit can save up to three children.
- Start a sustained giving program: Monthly pledges help the hospital plan and allocate resources effectively over the long term.
- Partner or fundraise: Companies, community groups, NGOs, and individuals can organize donation drives, corporate sponsorships, or community fundraising events to support PCMC’s mission.
- Share your story: Former patients like me and their families, can amplify awareness by sharing personal experiences. These narratives are powerful in engaging new donors.
In a world where healing often feels out of reach for many, even the smallest act of kindness can light a path forward. My journey from patient to journalist to donor reminds me that survival carries a responsibility, not just to live fully, but to help others do the same. If my story can spark one more act of generosity, one more moment of hope for a child in need, then every scar and setback has served a greater purpose.